Workers prepare for a private grand opening of the newly renovated IBM building.

The Howard Hughes Corp. on Friday unveiled its $24.4 million redevelopment of the iconic IBM Building in Honolulu, which is now an information center and residential sales gallery for the Texas-based developer’s Ward Village master plan in Kakaako.

The plan is to open the center to the public on Jan. 31, Nick Vanderboom, senior vice president of development for The Howard Hughes Corp., told PBN. Click on the photo for a slideshow.

“The IBM Building is a perfect example of The Howard Hughes Corp.’s long-term commitment to blend our respect for Hawaii’s unique and rich history with our vision for Ward Village as a vibrant, environmentally sustainable, integrated community,” Vanderboom said in a statement.

The IBM building, which was originally designed in 1962 by famed famed Hawaii architect Vladimir Ossipoff, is part of the developer’s first phase of its Ward Village plan that includes its first three residential towers, The renovation preserved the tower’s distinct concrete brise-soleil and included complete interior renovations of the first, second and sixth levels of the building.

The redevelopment also included an addition to the seventh-floor rooftop, an open air lanai addition to the ground floor and an upgrade of the site’s hardscape and landscape, eliminating parking to create a courtyard, a Native Hawaiian Garden and community space on the makai side of the building.

The ground floor, which houses the Ward Village master plan information center, features an original wall mural by Native Hawaiian artist Solomon Enos, an interactive exhibit created in partnership with the Bishop Museum showcasing the history of the Ward area, demonstrative displays and models that show details of the planned 60-acre project and a theatre open to the public to watch a film about Ward Village.

The ground floor also will include a restaurant, which will overlook the makai courtyard and a water feature.

David Striph, senior vice president of Hawaii for The Howard Hughes Corp. (NYSE: HHC), told PBN that it is talking to potential tenants for the space, but that no decision has been as to who will lease that space.

The sales gallery, which is located on the sixth floor, has complete model units for the first two planned mixed-use condominium towers, Waiea at 1118 Ala Moana Blvd. and Anaha at 1108 Auahi St.

Sales for both condos are expected to begin in early 2014, the developer said.

HAWAII AMERICANA REALTY

For the past 14 years, Mark G. Howard has practiced his skills as a licensed Realtor in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Las Vegas, Nevada and now Principal Broker & President of 'Hawaii Americana Realty', in Honolulu, Hawaii. He has gained a competitive edge in the real estate market by earning his status as an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR).